I’m not sure when or how I first found myself in one of Laurie Baron’s writing circles, but whatever the circumstance, her gracious spirit put me at ease. Then the intriguing prompts and quotes she kept pulling out of her basket or notebook inspired me to begin writing, and the welcoming energy of the group encouraged us all to share our work together. Since then, we’ve sat together writing all over town, with many different groups of people, and I’ve only grown in appreciation for her gifts. In addition to her skill in leading writing groups, she is a profound writer herself, and a thoughtful editor, who has helped many of us with our not-quite-there-yet pages. Now it’s our turn to listen, and her turn to share some of her words with us, in a poem especially suited to this season.
~Rhonda (for R&R)
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Here’s one of my favorite poems from Elizabeth Alexander that makes me want to shout, “Preach it, sister!” I love the way the speaker comments on her voice rising, love the simple, packed words and the urgency that builds to the final question, which has haunted me since the first time I read it.
Ars Poetica #100
Poetry is what you find
in the dirt in the corner,
overhear on the bus, God
in the details, the only way
to get from here to there.
Poetry (and now my voice is rising)
is not all love, love, love,
and I’m sorry the dog died.
Poetry (here I hear myself loudest)
is the human voice,
and are we not of interest to each other?
by Elizabeth Alexander
And here’s one of mine. Something about the coming of the winter solstice and the beginning of Advent has always touched me deeply. It’s a subject I keep coming back to in my writing, but maybe this short poem says it best.
A Northern Grace
One day past the longest night
and Earth still breathing.
Even before the baby light
becoming. Our tables can be readied
now, for celebration, our impulse joy
and trying again. Do you
feel this turning too?
by Laurie Baron